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The Stephane Wrembel Band

Stephane Wrembel is one of the most highly regarded guitarists in the world specializing in the style of legendary composer/guitarist Django Reinhardt. Born in Fountainebleau, France, he learned his craft traveling the French countryside before graduating from Berklee College of Music in Boston. He has had a remarkable career, toured the world, while releasing 17 albums under his name and the nom de plume The Django Experiment.  In May of 2023, he released Django New Orleans, recorded with his New York City-based specialty group under the same name receiving rave reviews for the album and live performances.

Wrembel’s original compositions have been featured in Midnight in Paris (“Bistro Fada”), Vicky Cristina Barcelona (“Big Brother”) and Rifkin’s Festival (original score). Midnight in Paris received the Grammy Award® for “Best Compilation Soundtrack.” Wrembel was selected by award-winning composer/producer Hans Zimmer to perform at the 2012 Academy Awards® as part of his “All Star Band,” which also included Esperanza Spalding, Pharrell, and Shelia E. Wrembel recorded Gypsy Rumble and toured nationally with famed mandolinist/composer David Grisman.  He has opened or performed with Elvis Costello, Patti Smith, The Roots, Medeski Martin & Wood, Me’shell Ndegeocello, John Schofield, Larry Keel, Stochelo Rosenberg, Sam Bush, and more.

In 2019, Wrembel released the highly regarded Django L’Impressionniste, featuring 17 of Reinhardt’s preludes for solo guitar, followed by a book of his transcriptions in 2021. He is the only guitarist in the world to perform these 17 preludes in their entirety. 

Since 2003, Wrembel has produced the Django a Gogo Festival, bringing together some of the finest musicians in the world to celebrate the Sinti guitar style to perform in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Town Hall.

Wrembel’s world-class band includes Josh Kaye on guitar; Ari Folman-Cohen on bass; and Nick Anderson on drums.

ELLNORA LINEUP
FR SEP 8: Opening Night Party
    6:00pm   National Anthem Performed by Malina Moye (free)
    6:00pm   Instrument Petting Zoo, Children's Crafts (Studio Theatre, free)
    6:05pm   Roosevelt Collier (free)
    7:30pm   The Stephane Wrembel Band (free)
    8:30pm   The Surfrajettes (free)
    9:30pm   Rodrigo y Gabriela (admission charge; tickets required)

SA SEP 9
    11:00am   Sharon Isbin and Pacifica Quartet (free)
    12:30pm   Yamandu Costa (free)
    1:30pm   Conversation & Inspirational Talk with Malina Moye (free)
    2:00pm   Ron Carter Golden Striker Trio (admission charge; tickets required)
    4:00pm   Ani DiFranco (admission charge; tickets required)
    5:00pm   Jake Eddy/Tosin Abasi (free)
    6:30pm  Yasmin Williams/William Tyler (free)
    8:00pm   Andy Summers: The Cracked Lens + A Missing String (admission charge; tickets required)
    9:30pm   Emmylou Harris (admission charge; tickets required)
    10:30pm   North Mississippi Allstars (free)

Corporate & Community Gold Sponsors

  • The Whip at Backland Radio dot com

Corporate & Community Silver Sponsors

  • Adams Outdoor Advertising
  • CUMTD
  • Kessler Optical
  • Neighbors of Southwest Champaign (Steve and Connie Miller)
  • Smile Politely

Corporate & Community Bronze Sponsors

  • Carter's Furniture
  • Triptych Brewing
  • Upper Bout

Patron Sponsors

  • A. Mark Neuman
  • Dr. Jan Marie Aramini & Michael Pettersen
  • Jill & James Quisenberry
  • Trent Shepard
  • Patricia Plaut & Kenneth Suslick

Patron Co-sponsors

  • Frances & Marc Ansel, in memory of George Perlstein
  • Jean Huddleston & Kelly Foster
  • Betsy Bachmann & Rebecca McBride
  • Brenda & Stephen Pacey
  • Carolyn Maille-Petersen & Todd Petersen
  • Julia & Gene Robinson
  • Pat & Allan Tuchman

Grant Support

  • The Augustine Foundation

With deep gratitude, Krannert Center thanks all Patron Sponsors and Corporate and Community Sponsors.

If you believe in the life-affirming experiences that Krannert Center and the performing arts at Illinois make possible, please make a gift: advancement@krannertcenter.illinois.edu, KrannertCenter.com/Give, or faa.illinois.edu/giving.

Event Details

Stage 5
Fr Sep 08, 2023 - 7:30pm CT
Free